Health & Wellness

Articles

Local Produce Is a Healthy Food Option and Budget-Friendly

The summer season offers so many great-tasting fruits and vegetables, right in our own “backyards.” All across America local produce can be found in most grocery stores. Did you know that most fruits and vegetables are cheaper during the summer? It’s true. When certain fruits and vegetables are in-season there’s more to be had and less traveling time involved in getting them to stores and into our favorite neighborhood produce department. Here are three of summer’s most budget-friendly and popular fruits and vegetables:
1. Berries – Whether you’re craving a stack of whole wheat pancakes topped with fresh blueberries for...

Peaches, Nectarines and Plums, Oh, My!

Nothing says summer like a ripe, juicy peach! Stone fruits—peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots, and cherries—are sought-after summer fruit that can make your taste buds dance. There are so many ways you can enjoy these tasty treats which are in season from June through September. And they are not just for snacking. Stone fruit can be dried, grilled, poached, roasted, and sautéed. You can make a quick fruit salad with stone fruit, a delicious jam, or grilled fruit (just brush fruit halves with melted, unsalted butter, sprinkle with sugar, then grill over low heat for about 10 minutes or until soft...

Healthy Eating Habits for Better Nutrition and Better Health

If you’d like to get in better shape for better health, you can start with your plate. Fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains make for a great beginning. Whether you want to lose weight or just eat better, you can make your health goals happen. Here are some simple steps to help you get started:
Incorporate lean protein foods such as beans and seafood into your menus. Additional health benefits from these foods include: Black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans are a very good source of fiber and folate, while green beans are an excellent source of...

Three Ways to Enjoy Fresh Fruit

The next time you’re hungry and craving a delicious piece of fruit get creative! Fruits—and foods in general—can make mealtimes simply amazing. While it’s truly great that fruits offer benefits such as beta-carotene, phytonutrients, potassium, vitamins, and so much more, there’s no reason not to experiment in the kitchen with them! And fruits complement a wide variety of other foods. Here are three ways with fruit:Baked. When slowly baked at a low temperature, fruit stays moist. Place chunked, halved or sliced fruit into a greased baking dish, and then sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a crumb topping. Bake at 350...

Quitting Smoking

From scar tissue—caused by inflammation in the airways and tissues of your lungs—to emphysema to cilia (respiratory infections), long-term lung damage brought on from smoking is a serious blow to the body. And smoking also causes other harmful effects that can damage almost every organ in the body.
Have you asked anyone who used to smoke if it was difficult for them to quit? If so, you probably heard, “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” Nicotine—a chemical in cigarettes—is one reason why it’s so hard to quit. When you try and quit smoking, you crave nicotine because your...

In Season

Get ready for springtime! March 21 marks the official beginning of the spring season. This means spring showers, spring flowers, and whole new crop of fresh spring foods. This month, take the opportunity to enjoy a few winter favorites that are still at their peak, and to get a first taste of the spring season's freshest picks.